Apparatus for use of single point watering system with monobloc lead-acid batteries

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a single point watering system for refilling individual cells of a multi cell monobloc lead-acid battery wherein each battery cell is fitted with a refill control valve. The system includes a manifold and a swivel connector fitting. The manifold has (i) a plurality of outlet bosses positioned at a predetermined spacing to permit the manifold to be assembled to the battery with each outlet boss in sealed fluid communication with one of the refill control valves, (ii) at least one inlet port adapted to receive the swivel connector fitting, and (iii) a longitudinally extending passageway for fluid communication between the inlet port and each outlet boss. The swivel connector fitting has an outlet boss which is mounted within the manifold inlet port in sealed fluid communication and is rotatable within the inlet port through 360 degrees. The swivel connector fitting also includes ports to communicate with other components of the single point watering system.

I claim:  
     
       1. In a single point watering system for refilling individual cells of a multi cell monobloc lead-acid battery wherein each cell includes an access port having a refill control valve mounted therein, the improvement comprising: 
       a generally linear and rigid manifold having (i) a plurality of depending outlet bosses with a predetermined spacing to permit the manifold to be assembled to the battery with each outlet boss in sealed relationship with one of the refill control valves, (ii) at least one inlet port adapted to receive a multi-port connector fitting, and (iii) a longitudinally extending passageway permitting fluid communication between the inlet port and each outlet boss; and wherein the multi-port connector fitting includes an outlet boss which is inserted into the manifold inlet port in sealed relationship within said inlet port, the multi-port connector fitting also including ports to communicate with other components of the single point watering system.  
     
     
       2. The improved single point watering system of  claim 1  wherein the manifold outlet bosses are press fit onto the refill control valves. 
     
     
       3. The improved single point watering system of  claim 1  wherein the multi-port connector fitting outlet boss is press fit onto the manifold inlet port. 
     
     
       4. The improved single point watering system of  claim 1  wherein the manifold outlet bosses and the multi-port connector fitting outlet boss are the same size and configuration. 
     
     
       5. The improved single point watering system of  claim 1  wherein the manifold comprises an upper housing having an elongated channel with said inlet port extending from the channel through the upper housing, and a lower housing with each of the outlet bosses depending from the lower housing. 
     
     
       6. The improved single point watering system of  claim 1  wherein an array of monobloc lead-acid batteries is serviced by the system with a manifold and multi-port connector fitting associated with the batteries, and wherein a flexible conduit is connected to each multi-port connector fitting of adjacent batteries in the array to interconnect the single point watering system. 
     
     
       7. The improved single point watering system of  claim 1  wherein the multiport connector fitting is rotatable within the inlet port of said manifold.